Two to be chosen as 2018 Businesses of the Year at IMPACT Awards Luncheon on May 24

The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (GPCC) has selected eight local companies as recipients of its 31st Annual IMPACT Awards. The IMPACT Awards honor the accomplishments of small and large Valley businesses and the positive influence they have on the community and economy.

The two 2018 IMPACT Businesses of the Year will be selected from these honorees and announced during the 31st Annual IMPACT Awards Luncheon on Thursday, May 24, 2018, at the Arizona Biltmore. Individual tickets are $80 for GPCC members and $95 for non-members. Tables of 10 are $900 for Chamber members and $1,050 for non-members.

In addition to the four award categories, the Chamber added the IMPACTful Nonprofit Award in 2016 to recognize the outstanding work of Valley nonprofits. Get involved to help determine the 2018 IMPACTful Nonprofit Award recipient by casting your vote for one of the four finalists. The deadline to vote is Wednesday, April 18.

“This year’s IMPACT Award recipients are truly reflective of the strong leadership, expanding innovation and dedication to the community, that the Greater Phoenix business community is proud to be known for,” said Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Todd Sanders. “These organizations will continue to serve as role models for our community and drive the growth of the Greater Phoenix region for years to come.”

More information about each award recipient follows:

Large Business Category (More than 250 employees):

2018 Arizona Advocate: Arizona Public Service (APS)
As Arizona’s largest and longest-serving electric utility, Arizona Public Service (APS) has been part of the fabric of Arizonans’ lives for more than 130 years. Today, APS provides reliable power to a service territory covering 34,646 square miles. Thanks to a dedicated and hardworking team of 6,300 employees in Arizona and New Mexico, APS provides safe, reliable, affordable electricity to 2.7 million people in 11 of Arizona’s 15 counties.Location: Phoenix | Website:www.aps.com | Phone: (602) 250-2277

2018 Community Champion: Salt River Project (SRP)
For more than 100 years, Salt River Project has provided reliable, affordable water and power for approximately 1 million customers throughout the Phoenix area. As one of the largest public utilities in the nation and one of the largest raw-water suppliers in Arizona, SRP continues to carry on that legacy of stewardship by working to protect our watershed, sustainably manage forests, and adopt innovative solutions that help rapidly changing communities continue to thrive. Today, SRP is able to meet these vital demands and build a unique, forward-thinking culture thanks to the tireless dedication of more than 5,000 employees who work every day to support customers.Location: Tempe | Website:www.SRPNet.com | Phone: (602) 236-5900

2018 Economic Driver: Phoenix Suns
Established in 1968, and celebrating its 50th season this year, the Phoenix Suns were the first professional sports team in Phoenix. The mission of the Phoenix Suns is “to provide the finest in sports, entertainment and community leadership.” The Suns organization has not only created new jobs within the team organization, but has created four additional new businesses of its own while growing its workforce substantially. More importantly, it likely convinced others in the professional sports industry that Phoenix can be a legitimate major league city, driving economic success for the region from many areas.Location: Phoenix | Website:www.suns.com | Phone: (602) 379-7867

2018 Exceptional Innovator: Phoenix Children’s Hospital
Phoenix Children’s Hospital has provided hope, healing, and the best health care for children since 1983 and has grown to become one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country. With a medical staff of nearly 1,000 pediatric specialists, Phoenix Children’s provides inpatient, outpatient, trauma and emergency care across more than 75 pediatric subspecialties, the most comprehensive pediatric care available in the state.Location: Phoenix | Website:www.phoenixchildrens.org | Phone: (602) 933-1000

Small to Medium Business Category (250 employees or fewer):

2018 Arizona Advocate: ISM Raceway
Since 1964, ISM Raceway has been the premier motorsports venue in the Southwest. As part of a $178 million modernization project, the track officially became ISM Raceway in January 2018 as a result of a naming rights partnership with ISM Connect, a pioneer in smart venue technology bringing the digital fan engagement experience to Phoenix. Phoenix is the only track in the West to feature an IndyCar Series race and two Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series weekends a year. In addition to races, ISM raceway attracts locals and tourists alike to their state-of-the-art facility for a multitude of entertainment opportunities.Location: Avondale | Website:www.ismraceway.com | Phone: (623) 463-5400

2018 Community Champion: Delta Dental of Arizona
Delta Dental of Arizona is the leading dental benefits provider in Arizona, serving more than 1 million enrollees and more than 3,400 contracted dentists across the state. Passionate about oral health and its importance to generations of families, Delta Dental of Arizona has worked for more than 45 years to improve oral health by emphasizing preventive care and making dental coverage accessible to a wide variety of employers, groups and individuals.Location: Glendale | Website:www.deltadentalaz.com | Phone: (602) 938-3131

2018 Economic Driver: Plaza Companies
With offices in Peoria, Scottsdale and Tucson, Plaza Companies is a full-service real estate firm specializing in the management, leasing and development of medical office and commercial office properties, technology and bioscience facilities, mixed-use properties and senior housing communities. Since 1982, Plaza Companies has established a proud track record as a competitive, connected and conscientious real estate firm with partnerships throughout the industries it serves. The company owns, provides leasing services or manages more than 10 million square feet, through partnerships and relationships with physicians, hospitals, financial institutions, REITs and private equity investors.Location: Peoria | Website:www.theplazaco.com | Phone: (623) 972-1184

2018 Exceptional Innovator: Equality Health
Founded in 2015, Equality Health is creating a revolutionary health care delivery system for populations that have long struggled with integrating into the traditional one-size-fits-all U.S. health care model. Working closely with stakeholders in the community, Equality Health pioneered an innovative and sustainable Cultural Care Model that establishes a trusted resource among patients and providers alike. At its core, Equality Health exists to end health disparities and improve the health of individuals, families and communities.Location: Phoenix | Website:www.equalityhealth.com | Phone: (602) 252-7900

Reactions from 2018 IMPACT Awards recipients:

Plaza Companies, 2018 Economic Driver, Small to Medium Business
“We are gratified to be selected as the recipient of the IMPACT Award in the Economic Driver category. Plaza Companies has worked diligently to take a leadership role in Arizona’s economic development efforts and to create innovative development projects that enhance our state’s economy. We appreciate this recognition as well as the positive impact the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce is having on the Valley’s business community.”– Sharon Harper, President & CEO, Plaza Companies

Equality Health, 2018 Exceptional Innovator, Small to Medium Business
“It’s an honor to be selected as a recipient in the IMPACT Awards Exceptional Innovator category. Being recognized for our innovative Cultural Care Model and our work to improve health care for underserved communities, underscores and gives credibility to the importance of our mission.”– Hugh Lytle, Founder & CEO, Equality Health

Phoenix Children’s Hospital, 2018 Exceptional Innovator, Large Business
“I’m honored that the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce chose Phoenix Children’s as the recipient of the Exceptional Innovator category. Being on the forefront of innovation in healthcare technology is crucial to our mission to provide the best healthcare for children and their families, and I’m thrilled that the Chamber is recognizing our commitment to that.”– Robert Meyer, President & CEO, Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Phoenix Suns, 2018 Economic Driver, Large Business
“It is especially meaningful for the Phoenix Suns to be honored as an ‘economic driver’ during our 50th anniversary season. It has been a privilege to be both a pioneer and a participant in the growth and diversification of this community, and we acknowledge every fan and every partner as a member of the team that is receiving this award.”-Jason Rowley, President, Phoenix Suns

Salt River Project, 2018 Community Champion, Large Business
“It is a tremendous honor for SRP to receive the Community Champion IMPACT Award from the Greater Phoenix Chamber. SRP is a community-based, not-for-profit organization and our employees support many local non-profits, logging nearly 30,000 hours of volunteer service every year. This award recognizes our culture that giving back and philanthropic efforts are a daily way of life.”– Mike Hummel, Deputy General Manager and soon-to-be General Manager & Chief Executive Officer, Salt River Project

Congratulations to the 2018 IMPACT Award Finalists250 employees or fewer:

Arizona Association of REALTORS

Dircks Moving & Logistics

Kolbe Corp.

Lockton Companies

More than 250 employees:

Alliance Bank of Arizona

Freeport-McMoRan

Isagenix International, LLC

McCarthy Building Companies

About the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce

Representing 2,400 businesses across the Greater Phoenix region, the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce promotes regional prosperity by serving as a catalyst for economic vitality and strong communities. The Chamber pursues this mission by collaborating with business, political and community leaders to grow the regional talent pool, create a regional approach to economic development and drive a pro-Arizona agenda.